The
following General Driver Guidelines are a partial summary
of the VARA RULE BOOK, PART ONE – Driver Handbook.
It serves as a quick reference, answering questions to
the most common circumstances that racers encounter throughout
a race weekend. Please keep in mind that this is a supplemental
document and it is the responsibility of every driver
competing with VARA to be familiar with the unabridged
versions of the VARA RULE BOOK, PARTS ONE AND TWO
Starts:
The leaders will slow into 2nd gear(approximately 40-50
mph) before coming onto the start / finish straight. The
leaders shall maintain this speed until the drop of the
green flag. The rear of the pack will form up and not
lag behind. Drivers shall not attempt to fill empty positions
by alternating car position left or right on the race
course. Each driver shall move directly to the rear of
the racer in front of them as soon as the pace car begins
grouping the field. You must stay in line and may not
accelerate faster than the pace of the field until the
green flag is thrown. Any driver jumping the start, breaking
out of line to create clear track advantage or causing
an improper or an aborted start, will be black flagged
as an individual, subject to starters & Chief Steward’s
discretion.
The pole position for Qualifying and Flag Races is determined
by driver performance from the previous group session.
For Qualifying Races, position is determined on lap time.
For Flag Races, position is determined by Qualifying Race
finishing position. It is the prerogative of the pole
winner to choose either left or right starting position
however, the default position is one which places the
pole winner on the inside line of the first turn. Should
the pole winner exercise the alternate option, the change
shall only affect the front row positions. The positions
for the remainder of the field shall be unchanged.
Safe
Passing:
It is the overtaking cars duty to complete any pass in
a safe manner. Do not hesitate to back out of a pass if
you do not think you can complete the pass in a safe manner.
Should a faster car close on you as you enter a corner,
you have the right to the proper line through the corner
and should make no sudden moves. The driver being overtaken
shall signal the overtaking car on which side to pass
by hand signals after completing the corner. As a slower
car, you are responsible for the diligent use of your
mirrors.
Paddock
and Pit Speeds:
The paddock speed is always 5 mph for all vehicles including
race cars. The Hot Pit speed limit is 2nd gear (approximately
50 mph). If you grab third gear in the Hot Pit Lane, you
will be black flagged.
Contact
Situations:
If contact occurs, regardless of the severity of the contact,
all entrants involved must immediately report to black
flag. Do not wait to be shown the black flag. You may
resume racing depending on the severity and the initial
assessment of fault of the drivers by the Black Flag Marshal.
Grid:
Please arrive at the grid in a timely manner. Once the
5 minute signal has been given, you are considered late
to the grid. If you are late to the grid or cannot start
in your grid position, you will start from the first available
grid position at the back of the field. Push starts may
only be used at the end of the grid and the driver must
roll out at the first available opportunity at the back
of the field. Push starts that are required after a car
has been driven and properly positioned on grid shall
only occur after the remainder of the field has rolled
off grid. The driver shall remain in position and the
crew off grid until the grid is cleared by the race officials.
Stopping on Course:
If you have a mechanical problem and cannot return to
the pit, raise your arm to signal to drivers and officials
that you are slowing. Do not stop on the race course,
it is very unsafe and can cause a major incident. Pull
off course in a safe manner, and position your race car
as far away from the race course as possible. Stay in
your car, belted and with helmet and driving gloves on,
unless there is a fire or you are specifically instructed
to leave the vehicle by course personnel.
Flag
Clarifications:
Red
flag:
Used primarily for when on track circumstances have created
a major course blockage or the need for immediate critical
medical response. During a red flag condition, the red
flag will be shown at all flag stations, including the
incident site, which will be showing the combination of
a waving yellow flag and a red flag. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED.
Slow down and stop your vehicle in close proximity to
the very first approached, manned flag station, stopping
in a position so that you can observe the worker for hand
signals. If stopping near the incident site, stop at least
50 yards prior to the incident to allow access for emergency
workers. Use your mirrors and hand signals in order to
stop safely at the side of the track, near a manned flag
station as previously described. As soon as the incident
is under control, the corner workers will direct you how
to proceed. Proceed, , as directed by the flag station
officials, at pace lap speed around the course carefully
and enter the hot pit lane, without crossing the S/F line.
You will receive additional instruction by course officials
as information is made available to them by the Chief
Steward. All drivers are to remain in their race cars
with all safety gear fully fastened, including helmet,
gloves, head restraint devices and safety harness, unless
otherwise directed by race officials. The session or race
may, or may not, be re-started. If a race is to be continued,
the grid will be formed based on the last lap completed.
Black
flag all stations:
Used to stop the session for the protection of on track
emergency personnel and course workers. NO PASSING IS
ALLOWED. A standing black flag will be displayed at all
corners, including the incident site, which will also
be displaying additional flag(s) required for the incident.
Use your mirrors and hand signals, slow down safely to
a pace lap speed and proceed directly into the hot pit
lane, stopping prior to the S/F line in a single line
to await further instructions. You will receive additional
instruction by course officials as information is made
available to them by the Chief Steward. All drivers are
to remain in their race cars with all safety gear fully
fastened, including helmet, gloves, head restraint devices
and safety harness, unless otherwise directed by race
officials. The session, or race, may or may not be re-started.
If a race is to be continued, the grid will be formed
based on the last lap completed.
Yellow
flags:
Standing yellow means be alert, something has occurred
at the next corner which may require evasive movement.
Drive at a speed safe for the conditions until past the
incident. Give the incident plenty of clearance. Crowding
the incident or emergency vehicles may result in a black
flag to you as a driver. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED.
Waving yellow means that the course is partially blocked
or an incident has occurred on the driving line and possibly
in a direct impact area. Slow down and prepare to take
immediate evasive action. Noticeable slowing is required.
You are under the control of the yellow flag until you
can see the next turn station, and no yellow flag is being
displayed. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED.
Double yellow flags at all corner stations indicate that
the field is being collected by the pace car. Do not lag
behind. You are responsible for maintaining a safe speed
and grouping yourself with the rest of the field while
the pace car controls the track. Be extremely cautious
as you may be required to pass the incident location as
indicated by a waving yellow flag. NO PASSING IS ALLOWED.
Blue
flag:
The blue flag is an advisory flag. The blue flag may be
for you or for another car in your vicinity. If you have
been running in a pack with very close lap speeds and
you receive a blue flag, it means that a faster car is
approaching, use your mirrors. If you are about to be
lapped, you are considered a back marker. You will be
shown the blue flag to notify you that faster car(s) are
approaching. As a back marker, you have not earned the
right to race the leaders. Doing so may be considered
a form of blocking and you could be black flagged. Maintain
your speed and the proper driving line and use hands signals
to point by the leaders as they approach.
